Thursday, May 20, 2010

Another field trip today but for Jacob this time. The three year old classes at his school went to the Gulf Breeze Zoo. It was about a 45 minute drive and the zoo was small but it was perfect for little ones and lack of attention span. Plus it was HOT!!!

Once we got into the zoo, the kids were amazed to see baby chicks of all sorts running through the zoo. Jacob was especially curious about the chickens. He timidly followed them as they walked along the sidewalk. It was pretty cute....

.... until Mama came charging at him from the bushes. It scared the daylights out of him and he was traumatized for a little bit.

Sorry so blurry but I think I saw what was happening through the lens and dropped the camera to go get him as I snapped the picture. But you get the idea. :)

Once we were over the trauma of the chicken, we rode on a small train around the zoo. After the train ride, each of the kids were given a large cup of food and we headed over the the feeding area.

AJ once again enjoyed a field trip with one of his siblings. I think he thinks this is what I must do while he is at school.

Jacob quickly figured out that if you hold the cup of food up to the animals it is a lot less messy than out of your hand.

He also tried the throwing it on the ground technique.

He was also able to pet a 2 week old mini deer. It was smaller than a chihuahua. So cute!

AJ found himself a lamb that he fed.

Once Jacob discovered all of the cutouts for pictures, he insisted that I take a picture of him in each one.

For some reason, this one seems to fit his personality. What do you think?

After a tour of the zoo and some petting and feeding, we had some very hot and hungry kiddos on our hands so we headed to the pavilions to have a group lunch. Lunch with 30+ three year olds is certainly an experience. It was certainly a good way to wrap up the year. He has one more week left and then it's summer break!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The first and second grade TEAM QUEST classes at Elizabeth's school always end the year with a dolphin cruise during their marine animal unit. AJ and I were lucky enough to be able to go on the cruise with them. (AJ's school ended last week so he is with me for the rest of the summer.)

Boarding the boat getting ready for our adventure to "sea". The kids were so excited to depart, they could hardly contain themselves.

Before we even got out into the Gulf we saw a pod of dolphins playing in the water. There were two calves and three adults. The calves kept coming up and slapping their tails on the water. It was so cool.

Several of the adults came right up beside the boat.

And of course, what would a deep sea adventure be without a shipwrecked vessel.

Elizabeth and her friends keeping their eyes open for marine life.

We went to the top deck after seeing a shark so we could get a better view into the water.

The captain of the boat let each one of the kids take a turn steering the boat. (They really did steer it too.) Look at her concentration.

My little captain.

AJ had to get in on the fun too. He can't wait to start kindergarten in the fall. He thinks this is what they do on a regular basis. He is in for a rude awakening I'm afraid.

We had to take a little break for some lunch but were able to still watch out the windows the whole time. Sure didn't want to miss anything.

As we returned to the dock, we went under a bridge. The kids all thought it was the cool to scream and be able to hear their echos.

The Chlebowski Cheetahs 2009-2010

We had a lot of fun on this trip and I love seeing the kids in their school environment. It is such an experience. Elizabeth is so fortunate to have such a wonderful teacher and a phenomenal school. I only hope the boys get a little taste of this school before we move again.

Macrophage Activation Syndrome

After a long struggle in the hospital and a lot of uncertainty, I have recently been diagnosed with a very rare blood disorder called MAS. I am currently receiving chemotherapy and high doses of steroids as part of my treatment. The doctors are uncertain if the end treatment will be a bone marrow transplant or not.

If you would like to follow that aspect of my life, you can find all of the juicy details here.

Also, I would like to encourage you to consider registering with the National Bone Marrow Registry here. It is a very easy process.

Thank you to everyone for all of your support and prayers.

About Me

I have three beautiful children and am married to a wonderful husband and devoted father. Before my "journey" with HLH began, I worked as a nurse and turned my hobby of photography into a business. I created memories for families using the beauty of natural light and the amazing landscape of the Emerald Coast of Florida. Currently my focus is solely on my recovery and cure so that I can be here to share many more years of love and memories with my family and friends.